In some African languages, the word “head” implies “leader.” Hats are used accordingly as indicators of status. In the Congo, eagle feathers trim the hats belonging to the highest official because eagles are the most powerful birds in the daytime sky. Lesser officials wear owl, parrot and guinea-fowl feathers – the latter adorn the top of this hat.

Where else have you seen feathers used as decoration?

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Posted by Ixchel Suarez

Precolumbian cultures such as the Aztecs, Mayas, Mexicas and more used the feathers to decorate their attires for ceremonial events and to determine the social status. Some beautiful feathers not only where integrated in the warps and wefts of the dresses, but also as head-bands, or "penachos" made out of gold, precious and semi precious stones and quetzal tail feathers. One excellent example is the Penacho de Moctezuma Emperor , where you can admire it in the Museum of Ethnology inViena, Austria.
Tradition says it belonged to tlatoani Moctezuma Xocoyotzin (1466-1520).